Skylark assending - the first of the year for me, heard while trudging and huffing up to the local trig, in the wonderful fullness of today's spring sunshine.

Reminded me of Robert MacFarlane's poem:

LARK

Little astronaut, where have you gone, and how is your
Song still torrenting on?

Aren’t you short of breath as you climb higher, up there
In the thin air, with your magical song still tumbling on?

Right now I need you, for my sadness has come again
And my heart grows flatter – so I’m coming to find
You by following your song.

Keep on into deep space, past dying stars and
Exploding sums, to where at last, little astronaut
You sing your heart out at all dark matter.


While out last night, filling the coal-bucket, I also heard my first Lapwing's call (the territorial one) of the year, from across the lane, in the starry meadow. They're back!